How to Fill a Hot Water Tank

With a water faucet turned on, you will know when the water tank is full.

There are many reasons you may need to fill a hot water heater. Maybe you winterized your home and part of that was draining the water heater. Others reasons would be if you had to replace your water heater or replace a heating element and now have to fill the tank of the hot water heater. Whatever the reason, the filling process is the same. Here are the basic steps to fill the tank with water.

Instructions

1. Turn off all water faucets in the home. Check outside spigots and bathroom sinks.

2. Turn on the water valve for the hot water tank to fill the tank with water. You will be able to hear the water filling the tank.

3. Turn on both a hot and cold faucet. You must keep an eye on these faucets, or ask a helper to do so if you have one.

4. Turn off the cold water faucet when water begins to come through that faucet.

5. Turn off the hot water faucet when water begins to come through it.

6. Wait a minute and turn the cold water back on. Turn off again once the water stops sputtering and hissing.

7. Turn the hot water back on. Turn off again once the water stops sputtering and hissing. Your hot water tank is now full of water and can be turned on to begin the water heating process.

Tips & Warnings

• Never turn on the power for an electric hot water heater if there is no water in it, as this could damage the heating element.

References

• The Natural Handyman: Draining the Sediment from Your Hot Water Heater...A "Tankless" Job!!
• Washington Sanitary Suburban Commission: A Guide to Winterizing Your Home